Carla Marinucci: McCain Veni, Vidi…Vici?

It had all the makings of the hottest political event in town — and in Iowa, where the temperature is in single digits, that ain’t easy to pull off.

But with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney beating each other up here, enter Arizona Sen. John McCain — just 24 hours before the Iowa caucuses and riding a wave of new GOP presidential candidate momentum in the polls.

Deanne Fitzmaurice/The Chronicle

McCain mobbed by supporters in Iowa Wednesday

His appearance at his campaign headquarters in Urbandale drew hundreds who waited in the cold, and jammed into every corner, with supporters clutching McCain’s books and photos in hand.

Media stars like George Stephanopolous, Tim Russert, Tucker Carlson, and Brian Williams showed up in droves, all apparently convinced this was the place to be on pre-caucus night.

McCain made his way through the crowd like a conquering hero, and had his own crew of celebrities at his side — Tricia Nixon Cox, daughter of former president Richard Nixon, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and Kansas Senator and former presidential candidate Sam Brownback.

And his return comes as some Iowa Republicans are interested in giving him another look — turned off by the slugfest among the other GOP candidates.

”I was going for Mitt all the way, but when he did that…he won’t get my vote,” said Jerry Kielsmeier, 52, of Johnston, Iowa. McCain, he said, is ” a straight shooter. I’m looking for someone who can work with Republicans and Democrats.”

The Arizona Senator and former Naval pilot was jazzed, ready with the jokes — including Marine jokes — and some serious talk about his experience and policy plans.

Meeting later with reporters, McCain said that whether or not he comes up with a win Thursday in Iowa, he has been buoyed by the voters’ support. ”We’ll be happy with whatever happens here,” he said.

And while McCain was in Urbandale, Mike Huckabee was in Burbank, hitting the guitar again on the “Tonight” show — despite a lot of debate here about his choice to give up a crucial day of Iowa campaigning to head to California.

He had great one-liners, looked at ease and aced it on the couch with Jay, and the exposure to an audience of millions of potential donors could make it worthwhile.

But first come the real reviews for both men, and Mitt..Thursday night in Iowa.